Zion National Park
Cliffs, slot canyons, and dizzying views: This park has them all. Two classic Zion experiences: hiking Angels Landing and wading the Virgin River Narrows.
Explore Utah National Parks
Incredible outdoor adventures, five national parks and ancient ruins combine to make a trip to Utah the experience of a lifetime. See golden bridges of rock at Arches National Park, islands carved by rivers in Canyonlands National Park and red sandstone hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park. Want to see people or not? In popular Zion National Park, go on a popular adventure wading in the Virgin River through the Narrows, or go off the beaten path on Capitol Reef National Park’s quiet canyon wash trails.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Famous for its weird and wonderful hoodoos—bulbous rock pillars—this southwestern Utah park also offers hiking, horseback riding, camping, and stargazing.
Arches National Park
Marvel at more than 2,000 natural rock arches at this park just outside of Moab. Some can be spotted from the road, but the best require a scenic hike.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is full of canyons, mesas, and buttes. But you won't find crowds here. It's Utah's least visited park even though it's the largest
Capitol Reef National Park
This national park preserves the 100-mile-long Waterpocket Fold (a “wrinkle” in the earth’s crust), a Mormon frontier settlement, and vast wilderness.
Neighboring Parks
From the Flaming Gorge in the north to Monument Valley in the south, Utah is filled with parks and recreation areas for you to enjoy.
What to Pack for Utah National Park Vacations
How do you pack for your desert climate that includes river hiking and rafting? Here are the top 15 items to put in your backpack.
2020 National Park Photography Workshops
National Park Trips Media and Tamron have teamed up to offer Photo Workshops inside your favorite national parks.
10 Best Things to Do in Utah National Parks
Be sure to hit one, or all, of the Top 10 Things to do and see in Utah Parks. There’s slot canyons, arches, museums, dinosaurs and more.
Where are the parks and recreation areas in Utah?
Utah's five national parks are all located in the southern part of the state and are often added on to a Grand Canyon vacation because of their proximity to Arizona. Winter sports resorts and parks are located in the center and northern regions of Utah with Brian Head and Snowbird being popular destinations. The northeastern section of Utah is famous for dinosaur fossils and the Flaming Gorge, a beautiful water sports and fishing area.
How should I get to Utah's parks?
Most people drive. Check out our road trip ideas. There are a few major airports within a day’s drive of the parks including Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. Once you get to the parks, you will need a car or tour transportation to get around. Zion National Park has a shuttle that runs in the Valley. If you are entering Zion from the east, you need to be aware of the restrictions for the Mount Carmel Tunnel.
5 Best Road Trips
Find an exciting scenic route to the parks when you follow one of these itineraries. We show you the best starting points and points of interest on the way.
Airports Near Utah National Parks and Rec Areas
The closest airports and their distances from Zion, Bryce, Arches and other Utah Parks.
Shuttle Buses in Zion National Park
Information and tips on how to best utilize Zion's free shuttle system. Watch the video.
Will You Fit Through the Mt. Carmel Tunnel in Zion National Park?
A 1.1 mile-long tunnel is credited with converting Zion from an isolated and rarely visited park, to one of the most popular national parks
Where should I stay on my Utah vacation?
Zion and Bryce Canyon each have one lodge inside the park. However, all parks have campgrounds. There are a plethora of lodging options near the park entrances and in gateway towns including cabins, campgrounds, resorts, and hotels.
Hotels and Cabins
Only two of the five Utah national parks have hotels or cabins inside the park, but your can find a variety of lodging in gateway communities right outside the park boundaries.
Camping and RV Parks
Spend time camping on your Utah National Park vacation at one of the many area campgrounds.
What is there to see in Utah's national parks?
Top 3 Vistas in Zion National Park
Get the best views in this red-rock paradise in southwestern Utah. If you want to feel on top of the world, here are three fantastic Zion hikes that offer incredible vistas.
What are Hoodoos?
The word "hoodoo" means to bewitch, which is what Bryce Canyon's rock formations surely do.
Natural Rock Arches in Arches National Park
The largest concentration of natural arches in the world. Marvel at more than 2,000 natural rock arches at this park just outside of Moab.
4 Districts of Canyonlands National Park
Explore the Needles, Island in the Sky, the Maze, and the Rivers of Canyonlands National Park. But don't miss these two fascinating spots nearby.
5 Things to See at Capitol Reef National Park
The best viewpoints, trails, and attractions in this under-the-radar park.
What is there to do in Utah?
Hiking through slot canyons and up rock formations, mountain biking over slickrock, 4-wheel scenic drives, and wildlife watching (especially for bighorn and birds) are the main activities. See our list of the top ten things to do in the parks and beyond.
Hiking Trails
Utah offers hikers and backpackers an exceptional variety of lovely trails that meander across rivers and streams, and pass by striking waterfalls & arches
Outdoor Recreation
From hiking to fishing to winter sports, there are plenty of activities for the outdoor enthusiast in Zion National Park.
Attractions
Utah has many museums, zoos, movie sets, and historic sites to visit on your national park vacation
Vacation Itineraries
Looking for ideas for a Utah vacation? Here you'll suggestions for Utah's five national parks along with some of Utah's leisure towns and cities.
What's New
Feel like an Olympian at Utah Olympic Park
Ride a bobsled down the track, learn to ski jump on a trampoline, or visit museums at this legacy park from the 2002 Olympics near Park City, Utah.
2020 National Park Photography Workshops
National Park Trips Media and Tamron have teamed up to offer Photo Workshops inside your favorite national parks.
Monument Valley at the Utah-Arizona Border
Located in Southeast Utah and the Northern border of Arizona, this drive has been called the most scenic in America by many and it's no wonder why.
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Look down into a half-mile deep geologic amphitheater; wander among timeless bristlecone pines; and stand in lush meadows of wildflowers
Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City
The shows attract more than 150,000 ticket holders annually, some of whom come to Cedar City just for the 250 festival performances.
Elevate Your Experience at Cedar City and Brian Head
While Southwest Utah is known for its red-rock, there’s a pocket of mountains topped by aspens, wildflowers and pine trees. Stop at these 4 spots.
Ruby's Inn & Adventures at Bryce Canyon National Park
The closest lodging to Bryce Canyon and near Zion and the Grand Canyon, stay at the hotels, RV park, tipis & campground. Horseback rides. ATV & bicycle rentals.